The HS&E test is made up of 50 questions covering five core knowledge areas:

• legal and management
• health and welfare
• general safety
• high risk activities
• environment

Candidates have 45 minutes to answer the 50 questions. The test now includes new question styles. Behavioural case studies are also used in the test to check a candidate’s understanding of health, safety and environmental issues, and how to behave safely on-site.

CITB is continually reviewing the test to ensure that it continues to help construction workers and employers get the right knowledge, skills and training to be able to work safely in the industry

There are three types of HS&E test:

• Operatives
• Specialists
• Managers and Professionals.

• The Operatives test ensures workers have a minimum level of health, safety and environmental awareness before going on site. This test covers the five core knowledge areas listed above

• These tests include questions about the five core knowledge areas as well as relevant questions in the chosen specialist areas. The Specialists test can be taken in the following topics:

  • supervisory (SUP)
  • demolition (DEM)
  • plumbing (JIB) (PLUM)
  • highway works (HIW)
  • specialist work at height (WAH)
  • lifts and escalators (LAEE)
  • tunnelling (TUNN)
  • HVACR – heating and plumbing services (HAPS)
  • HVACR – pipefitting and welding (PFW)
  • HVACR – ductwork (DUCT)
  • HVACR – refrigeration and air conditioning (RAAC)
  • HVACE – services and facilities maintenance (SAF)

This test covers the same five core areas but also includes questions on the following topics:

• construction (design and management) regulations
• demolition
• highway works.